Weekly Scripture

Romans 5:8-10

But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life (NKJV).

Ashley Paine was only 12 years old when she was fatally wounded while riding her bicycle.  One Friday afternoon, Ashley fell off her bike on her way home from school and tumbled into an access lane that led to a turnpike. She landed under the rear wheels of a passing school bus and was run over.  The seventh-grader died two days later.

Thinking of others in need, Ashley's parents donated her organs to five people. One of the chosen recipients was another young girl, Jordon Hensley.  Jordon suffered from a congenital heart defect—a condition that would result in a short lifespan.

Already hospitalized, Jordon's doctors told her early Monday morning that she was receiving the heart and she immediately called her mother with the news and started to cry as she told her mother that she was getting a new heart. The heart was successfully transplanted that same day.

The mother of the young girl who was killed was quoted as saying, “I feel better knowing Ashley is still touching lives and that she would have chosen a 12 year old.”  The Paine family sent a bouquet of flowers and a get well card, and the Hensleys attended the funeral of a child they never knew but is now a part of them forever.

“Thank you so much for donating her heart,” Jordon said as she eagerly awaited running around with her friends—something she was never able to do with her own heart.

The parents of Ashley were consoled by their child’s ability to give such a precious gift to another. In a sense, they felt that their daughter lived on through her heart that kept beating as it was placed into the body of another human being.  This new heart brought life and hope to a girl whose future was otherwise bleak.

Christ died so that we may be reconciled to God.  It was then by His life, through His resurrection, that it is possible for us to have a spiritual heart transplant and thus be saved.  This change of heart comes through the power of the Holy Spirit—sent to dwell in the body of those who love Him and keep His commandments.

This Spirit is a very piece of the divine nature of God!  It guides us into all truth, gives us a Godly perspective, and makes it possible for us to accomplish and achieve that which would be impossible without Him. The Father has called us to receive this change of heart, and by it we must be conformed to His way of life as He lives inside of us.

Are we thankful for Jesus’ death?  Are we grateful for His resurrection that has made our conversion possible? Do we appreciate the example he has set of how we are to live?  Do we treasure the giving of God’s divine nature so that we can be comforted, that is helped, through the tests and trials of life?

If we do, let’s listen to that still, small voice of God’s Spirit that prompts us and pricks our conscience.  Let’s follow Christ’s lead and allow Him to live in us by dwelling in our hearts and minds.  Let’s bring into subjection every thought, and not quench the fire God’s divine nature has started within. Let’s do so realizing that it is through Christ’s life, His life even now, and by His life in us through God’s Sprit, that we can be saved.